Cousins!

In September, 2009 we made a trip to TX to introduce Chloe to all of her cousins and aunts and uncles. The kids had a great time, and really enjoyed hanging with their cousins. Blaine got sick while we were there and so we had to cut the trip short. He actually had the H1N1 virus, and miraculously, no one else got it. In the picture with all of the cousins it it, well not all, but most, Blaine's eyes are bloodshot and his face is read because he had been crying. He lost his voice and he was scared that he would never get it back. Oh, and they are wet because they got "caught" in the sprinklers. Sure they did. This was before we knew how sick Blaine was. I swear he had been playing all day and hadn't complained once that he felt bad.

First Grade - Homework and Tests!

First Grade. I was not ready for 1st grade, and neither was Blaine. It was a shock actually. There is homework. A lot of homework. Not hard homework, but homework in almost every subject every night. Then there are the tests. Spelling, Math, Language Arts, reading, religion and social living. Every week. I know this is just the beginning, and we have gotten over the initial shock, and Blaine is doing really well, honor roll even. We are in a groove now. These are some pictures from August, 2009 when Blaine was just getting used to the idea of homework and studying and Chloe doing a little homework of her own (had to do something to keep her occupied)

First Day of School

In September, Chloe started MDO at a small school near our home. I had planned on keeping Chloe home with me for a year, but Miss Chloe was longing for social interaction with her peers. Chloe is VERY active and VERY social and she just wasn't getting what she needed being home with me all day while big brother was at school and daddy was at work. Chloe loves her new friends and looks forward to going to "school" everyday even though she doesn't go everyday.

Chloe's Baptism

Chloe was Baptized into the Catholic Church in September, 2009. Her Godmother is my cousin Nykky and her Godfather is Nykky's husband Jorge. We had a private Baptism and I am so glad we did because Chloe was all over the place! After the Baptism we had a small party at home to celebrate.

Happy Holidays

Pictures from Courtney

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Pre Halloween Pictures

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More Pics

I was on the big computer in the office trying to scan some pictures for Joe's soccer party on Saturday, and I found some pictures of Chloe and Blaine playing outside, some pictures of Chloe dressed like a princess (this was from the first week we were home) and pictures my sister took of Blaine's birthday party when we were in China. I forgot we took these. I have got to get more organized!

Big Brother, Swimming, Turning 7 years old and First Grade

Blaine has had an exciting last couple of months. In July he turned 7, and became a big brother for the first time (a job he takes very seriously). On August 10, my baby boy started first grade and so far has been doing great.

Still There?

I wouldn't blame you if you weren't. I am really bad at this blogging stuff. Chloe only takes about an hour and a half nap, so when she is napping, I am usually doing things I can't do while she is awake, and blogging is at the bottom of that list.
Chloe has been with us for almost two months now, and things are still going better than expected. She is such a loving, sweet, funny little girl, and we are just totally in love with her (and we think the feeling is mutual). A few weeks ago we took her on our first family outing. We went to the Aquarium of the America's in New Orleans. Chloe was mesmerized by all of the fish and had a great time. We had our first pediatrician visit and everything there went well too. The doctor was surprised at how well she was doing in such a short amount of time. Her English is getting better and better and she even speaks in complete sentences a lot of the time. Her favorites are "I got it" and "Baby did it" (meaning her baby doll). Chloe loves, loves, loves jumping on the trampoline in the backyard, and swinging in her pink swing, but I think her favorite activity is when her daddy pulls her around the neighborhood in Blaine's old waggon. She sits there like the princess that she is and waves and says "hello" to all of the neighbors. Enjoy the Chloe pictures from the past two months!

Announcement Pictures

OK, I finally fixed my laptop so I will finally be able to update, soon.
Chloe is doing well. She is still amazing us with her ability to adapt to new situations. She is doing so well in fact that we have decided to enroll her in a three day a week pre-school starting in September (well, she is #2 on the wait list, hopefully she will get in) We had planned to keep her home for a year, but she is doing so well we didn't want to hold her back. I think she misses being around a lot of kids her age.
Blaine is doing great. He starts first grade next Monday, and is excited to be going back to school. Blaine is a great big brother and even offered to babysit his baby sister (for a price of course) He actually thought I would let him stay home alone with her, and pay him to do it. He's 7!
We finally finalized the plans for our first family vacation. Blaine can't wait to introduce his little sister to all things Disney!